Bachelors of Fine Arts in Fine Arts, Multidisciplinary Studies
Program Requirements 2015-2016
General Education Requirements
Core I- 9 hours
First Year Seminar (3 hours)
100/200 level CT (6 hours)
MTH 121= 3 hours of CT
Recommend: Select a second CT course from social sciences/
humanities that meets both Core and Music requirements.
Core II- 25 hours (100 and 200 levels)
Select courses to ensure 6 hours of writing intensive credits
and 3 hours of multicultural credits.
Composition (6 hours)
English 101 and 201 or English 201H (honors)
ACT scores of <18 (SAT 440), first take ENG 099
ACT scores of 18-27 take ENG 101
ACT scores of 28-33 take ENG 201H
ACT scores of 34-36 receive ENG credit.
Communication Studies 103 (3 hours)
The requirement may be waived by the Communication Studies
Department if high school speech was taken, and if
the student passes the appropriate exam.
Mathematics 121 or above (3 hours)
Math ACT of 12-16 (SAT 250-390) first take MTH 098
Math ACT of 17-18 (SAT 400-450) first take MTH 099
Fine Arts (3 hours)
Art 112 or Theater 112
Physical or Natural Science (4 hours)
Social Sciences (3 hours)
Humanities (3 hours)
Music Core………………………………………………………..……15 hours
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory
MUS 111 Elementary Music Theory I
MUS 112 Elementary Music Theory II
MUS 113 Elementary Aural Skills I
MUS 114 Elementary Aural Skills II
MUS 211 Advanced Music Theory I
MUS 213 Advanced Aural Skills I
MUS 218 Introduction to Music Technology
MUS 376 Junior Recital
MUS 401 Research in Music
Music Area of Emphasis………………………………………...58 hours
MUS 212 Advanced Music Theory II
MUS 214 Advanced Aural Skills II
MUS 290 Music History to 1750
MUS 301 Analysis
MUS 315 or 415 Instrumental or Choral Conducting
MUS 360 Music History 1730-1900
MUS 361 Music History since 1900
MUS 499 Capstone
Or
MUS 217 Jazz Theory
MUS 250 Survey of Jazz
MUS 360 Music History 1730-1900
MUS 361 Music History since 1900
MUS 401 Research in Music
MUS 411 Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting
MUS 499 Capstone
Other Requirements
1. A minimum of 120 hours, with 40 credit hours at the 300-499 level and 73 credit hours in the major, are
required for graduation. All courses in the major must be completed with grades of "C" or higher and a
cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
2. Core I courses (9 hours), include: 3 hours of First Year Seminar (FYS) and 6 hours of Critical Thinking courses.
3. Core II courses (a minimum of 25 hours of 100/200-level courses) include: 6 hours of English Composition
(including receipt of a grade of "C" or higher in ENG 102 or ENG 201H); 4 hours of Natural or Physical Science;
3 hours each from the areas of Communication Studies, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics (121 or higher),
and Social Sciences. The list of specific approved courses that can fulfill these requirements changes over time.
Students should consult their departmental academic advisors for further information.
4. Six hours of courses designated as "writing intensive" and three hours of courses designated as
"international" or "multicultural."
5. In order to complete the degree within the 120 credit hour plan, students are encouraged to select courses
that meet two or more college or core requirements. See course attributes each semester for courses that
fulfill specific requirements.
 Eight (8) credit hours of 100-level applied study on the principal
instrument
 Six (6) credit hours of 300-level applied study on the principal
instrument
 Four (4) credit hours of 200-level principal ensemble and three
(3) credit hours of 400-level principal ensemble relating
directly to the principal applied area. These must be earned in
eight different semesters.
 Full-time music students are required to participate in
ensembles in each semester of residence. In addiction string
majors must complete four semesters of chamber ensemble.
Upon approval of the applied teacher guitar and keyboard
majors may be substitute up to two semesters of an
appropriate chamber ensemble or accompanying for two
semesters of a principal ensemble.
 One (1) credit of improvisation class.
6. Students will complete 13 elective hours outside of the major.
7. Numerous courses within College of Fine Arts degree programs are sequential, meaning that they must be
taken with the appropriate pre-requisite and/or co-requisite courses. Please refer to catalogue course
descriptions or consult departmental academic advisors.
8. If students follow this graduation plan and do not withdraw from or fail to complete any courses, they can
graduate within four academic years. This plan is a guide only. Course offerings in a given semester may alter
the specific layout of the degree plan.
9. Individual academic advising is mandatory for students in the College of Fine Arts each semester prior to
registration. Students who have declared a major in Fine Arts are assigned an advisor in the appropriate
department. Undecided Fine Arts majors will see the Associate Dean of Fine Arts for advising. It is imperative
that students meet with their academic advisors to implement a successful plan of course selection.
10. MUS 179 A-D is available for students to take to complete the piano proficiency requirement. Each class is
one credit. Students will be given a proficiency placement exam prior to their first semester of study and the
appropriate section of MUS 179 (if necessary) will be determined by the piano faculty. Students in the
Multidisciplinary Studies Emphasis may elect to take the Jazz option in which MUS 217 subs for MUS 212 and
MUS 214; MUS 250 subs for MUS 290; MUS XXX subs for MUS 315 or 415 and MUS 301 is not required.
School of Music
College of Arts and Media
Smith Music Hall 154
Smith Hall 158
304-696-3117
https://www.marshall.edu/somt/music
https://www.marshall.edu/cam